UV protection for the whole body - what do I really need?

UV protection for the whole body - what do I really need?

Summer is finally here and we are enjoying the sun's rays hitting our bodies and giving us new life energy. But be careful, even a small amount of radiation can have negative consequences. The focus should not only be on protecting the skin.

The sun's UV radiation

The sun's radiation hits the earth in different wavelengths. It is divided into:

- Infrared light, which we perceive as heat,
- Visible light that illuminates our surroundings
- Ultraviolet light, which we cannot see or perceive, but which poses the greatest danger to our body. Ultraviolet light is divided into the UV ranges A, B and C: UVC and UVB hardly reach the earth's surface or only in small quantities. UVA, on the other hand, reaches us on earth completely and unfiltered.

Why do we need to protect ourselves?

Due to the different physical properties of the different spectrums of UV light, the body's organism is affected differently and even damaged. Although UVB radiation is important for the formation of vitamin D, it is also responsible for our sunburn. Long-wave UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and can generate free radicals, which are responsible for the dreaded skin cancer. Although the body has many repair mechanisms to combat damage caused by UVA and UVB radiation, these are no longer sufficient when the eyes are in the sun for a long time.

Comprehensive protection against UVA and UVB radiation is therefore necessary.

When do I need to protect myself and how?

In order to know when which protective measure is required, we can use the UVI (UV index) as a guide. The higher the UVI value, the more dangerous the radiation exposure is that day. The current index can be found in the weather report:

• UVI 1 or 2: Low UV exposure. Our bodies do not need any further protective measures
• UVI 3 to 7: The body should now be protected through various measures. Sunglasses, long clothing, a hat and sunscreen should now be used
• UVI 8 and more: Very high UV exposure. Now you should avoid the sun completely and stay indoors, especially at midday. If you do spend time outdoors, hats, clothing and sunscreen are an absolute must.

But be careful: Our surroundings can reflect UV radiation. Water, asphalt and sand, for example, create a reflection that increases the UVI value. This means that you cannot rely solely on the UV value, but must always see this in combination with where you are.

How can I protect myself comprehensively from UV radiation?

UV protection through clothing:

Clothing is particularly suitable. The protection depends on the type of fabric and the density of the fabric. This means: the denser the fabric, the better the protection. Special UV clothing is now also available, especially in sports shops.

But be careful: sunscreen should still be applied, because parts of the body such as arms, legs and décolleté are still exposed to solar radiation!

UV protection for the skin

Our skin is also a sensitive organ and should be protected from UV rays. Unfortunately, this is not that easy because sunscreens do not completely absorb the radiation and so some of it still penetrates the skin and promotes skin cancer in the long term. Unfortunately, UV-related damage occurs in the skin before we notice it through sunburn. We therefore have to be protected early on and other measures such as glasses, clothing and headgear must not be dispensed with.

Why we especially need to protect our children

Children's skin is still in the development phase, so more cell divisions take place than in an adult. Too much sun exposure and sunburns cause genetic damage to the skin cells. This damage increases rapidly due to increased cell division and can often no longer be repaired by the organism. The result of this is skin cancer.

Furthermore, pigment spots on the skin increase. If this proliferation occurs due to UV radiation (due to excessive exposure or sunburn), there is an increased risk of developing black skin cancer.

Conclusion:

Protect yourself well, comprehensively and early

• Stay in the blazing sun as little as possible
• Under no circumstances should you wear clothing with a dense fabric (or UV protective clothing)
• Look for sunglasses with a high filter and the coloring adapted to your activities
• Headwear is essential! Make sure you have a high level of UV protection here too
• Always apply and reapply!
• Don't forego any UV protection measures! Damage occurs before we recognize it, so comprehensive protection is essential

So nothing stands in the way of your adventure!